Proof Of Efficiency With Heat Pumps

With the cold weather, many homeowners are experiencing issues with efficiency of their air source heat pumps (ASHP) or ground source heat pumps (GSHP).

Some report that their systems are expensive to run or aren't heating their homes properly. But why is this happening? In many cases, it's due to poor installation. We believe the installers should be held responsible.

The Importance of Proper Installation

Heat pump systems are sold with promises of high efficiency and low running costs, often based on something called the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP). This is a measure of how much heat your system can generate compared to the electricity it uses over a season. However, if your heat pump isn’t properly installed or designed, it won’t meet these performance levels. The result is higher costs and less comfort.

So, how do you ensure your system performs as expected? It’s important to work with an installer who can back up their claims with proof. At Custom Renewables, we hold ourselves accountable for each installation. We ensure every heat pump works as efficiently as possible.

Monitoring Your System’s Performance

One of the ways we ensure top performance is by offering Open Energy Monitoring for all customers. This monitoring system provides detailed information on how your heat pump is performing, including:

  • Energy Usage: How much electricity is being used compared to the heat generated.
  • Performance in Different Weather Conditions: How the system responds to outdoor temperatures.
  • SCOP and COP (Coefficient of Performance): This helps you understand how efficient your system is. It measures how much energy is being used versus how much heat is being produced.
  • Cycling Issues: We can see if the system is turning on and off too frequently, which can reduce efficiency and raise energy costs.
  • Temperature and Output: We track if the system is running at the right temperature and delivering the output it was designed for.

This data gives us insight into how well the system is performing. It also confirms whether any adjustments are needed to maximise efficiency.

You can check the live data of some of our previous installs here

Holding Installers Accountable

By monitoring the performance of our installations, we take responsibility for ensuring that every system we install operates at its best. This approach eliminates guesswork and ensures that our customers are getting the most out of their heat pumps.

Many installers still rely on outdated methods or "rules of thumb" to design and install heat pumps, but that’s not enough. With all the available information about system design, efficiency, and performance, the industry should be doing better. Our goal at Custom Renewables is to lead by example, delivering top-quality heat pump installations that are designed, monitored, and optimised for maximum efficiency.

The Bottom Line

A properly designed and installed heat pump should deliver on its promises—keeping your home warm without costing a fortune. By using advanced tools like Open Energy Monitoring and focusing on accountability, we ensure that every customer gets what they deserve: a high-performing, efficient heating system that works as promised.

If you are interested in a highly efficient heat pump for your home, contact us today!

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Why Your New Heat Pump Is Costing You A Fortune To Run

We receive a lot of calls from frustrated homeowners with newly installed heat pumps that are costing them a fortune to run. They are concerned about their high electricity bills, especially during cold weather months.
While we are always happy to help optimise settings and explain how to get the best performance out of a heat pump, the root of the problem often lies in poorly installed systems.

Why Are Some Heat Pumps Costing a Fortune to Run?

Most of the time, the high energy bills come down to issues with installation rather than the heat pump itself. We don’t believe this is entirely the installer’s fault—there’s a bigger problem within the industry. Heat pumps are still relatively new in the UK market. As we move away from gas boilers, there’s a lack of proper training and experienced engineers to handle these low-temperature systems correctly.

What’s Going Wrong with Heat Pumps?

There are a few common issues with heat pump installations that can cause inefficiencies:

  1. Incorrect Weather Compensation Settings: Weather compensation settings adjust your heating based on the outdoor temperature, which should make the system more efficient. However, if these settings are too high, your heat pump ends up working harder than it needs to, wasting energy.
  2. Third-Party Controls: Some systems are controlled by third-party thermostats that turn the heat pump on and off. This can cause the system to “cycle,” which reduces efficiency and drives up your energy bills.
  3. Undersized Pipework: If the pipes used in your system are too small, the heat pump struggles to circulate heat properly, making it harder to keep your home warm.

These problems are preventable with proper design, setup, and commissioning. This is why industry-specific training is so important.

The Importance of Proper Training

To install heat pumps correctly, engineers need specialised training in system design, especially for low-temperature heating. Our lead engineers at Custom Renewables have had the privilege of learning from industry leaders like Heat Geek and Northampton Academy. These training companies focus on how to design systems that run at lower temperatures and optimise flow rates for efficient heat transfer.

We are proud to be Heat Geek Elite registered installers, as well as winning the Heating Installer of the year award.

Without this kind of training, it’s easy to make mistakes that lead to a heat pump performing below its potential—often with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) lower than 2. This means the system is using a lot more electricity than necessary to generate heat. This can be costly for homeowners.

What Can You Do?

If your heat pump isn’t performing as expected, there are steps you can take:

  1. Have Your System Checked: Get an experienced engineer to review your installation. They can optimise your settings, especially the weather compensation. This ensures everything is running as efficiently as possible.
  2. Understand Your Controls: Make sure you’re using the right control strategy. Avoid third-party thermostats that switch the system on and off frequently. Your heat pump should be running steadily, not cycling on and off.
  3. Proper System Design: If you’re considering a heat pump or upgrading your system, ensure the installer is well-trained and follows best practices for low-temperature heating systems.

In the end, a well-installed heat pump should not cost you a fortune. It should save you money on your energy bills. But getting it right from the start with the right setup and knowledge is key to making the most of your investment.

If you would like some technical help or a quotation for a heat pump in your home, contact us today!

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